While most of us are slowly returning to our various places of work like it’s a normal thing that people just do, it’s worth remembering that across the globe scores of folks are still mired in full-WFH conditions where the Zoom meeting still reigns supreme. And therefore, shit occasionally goes extremely pear-shaped. Case in point: Parliament in Canada, and one extremely upstanding Canadian MP.
Canadian MPs are currently engaging in something called Hybrid Parliament, where members can either rock up in-person or log on via video call. And in record time, that has been proven as fraught as it sounds.
During sitting earlier this morning AU time, it would appear one representative fell afoul of the dreaded “forgot the camera was on” curse, and appeared in actual Canadian Parliament absolutely starkers. Nude as the day he was born. Barely a maple leaf covering anything. For all Canadian lawmakers, and subsequently social media, to see.
Anyone recognize this MP wandering around in the buff in their office while taking part in the hybrid Parliament? Obviously, given the flag, they are from Quebec. Wonder what kind of mobile phone he uses? #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/HWOeR9ZJBV
— Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) April 14, 2021
That member, and his member, is William Amos, who represents the Quebec division of Pontiac.
In a short statement following the incident, Amos asserted that is was “an unfortunate error,” and that “my video was accidentally turned on as I was changing into my work clothes after going for a jog.”
In one of the more savage immediate digs at an incident like this, Canadian Bloc Québécois party whip Claude DeBellefeuille went straight for the balls in stating “It may be necessary to remind the members, especially the male ones, that a tie and jacket are obligatory, but so are a shirt, boxer shorts or pants. We have seen that the member is in great physical shape, but I think members should be reminded to be careful and control the camera well.”
Where this ranks in the grand annals of Shit That Happens On Zoom remains to be seen. Gut-reaction estimates put it somewhere above Hamish Blake causing a national security emergency by dropping in on Airforce meetings, but decidedly below Uni Student Accidentally Broadcasts Piss.
One thing that can’t be denied though: The radiating energy coming off of casually nuding up while idly listening to Parliament that you yourself are a part of.
You almost have to respect it.
Almost.
